Air Force Spends $25.7M on Data Fabric Modernization with L3Harris Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,687,598 ($25.7M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-09-13
End Date: 2025-11-06
Contract Duration: 1,515 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: DATA FABRIC MODERNIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY TRACKER IS TO INTEGRATE, DEVELOP, AND EXPOSE DATA ACROSS THE AIR FORCE TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS CENTER.
Place of Performance
Location: MELBOURNE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32940
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $25.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: DATA FABRIC MODERNIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY TRACKER IS TO INTEGRATE, DEVELOP, AND EXPOSE DATA ACROSS THE AIR FORCE TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS CENTER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to L3Harris Technologies for data integration and exposure. 2. Focus on research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 3. Potential risk in cost-plus fixed-fee structure if not managed effectively. 4. Spending falls within the R&D sector, specifically NAICS 541715.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar R&D data integration contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may not always yield the most price-efficient outcome compared to fixed-price contracts.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for advanced data infrastructure to improve Air Force capabilities, with the ultimate benefit depending on the successful implementation and utilization of the data fabric.
Public Impact
Enhances Air Force data integration capabilities for the Technical Applications Center. Supports research and development in critical scientific and engineering fields. Aims to improve data accessibility and utility across the organization. Potential for improved national security through advanced data analytics.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.
- Effectiveness of data integration and exposure.
- Long-term maintenance and upgrade costs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Addresses critical data modernization needs.
- Supports advanced R&D initiatives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be subject to cost variability due to the experimental nature of R&D projects.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense and Air Force are responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type necessitates rigorous monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability and prevent waste.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Dependency on contractor's technical expertise.
- Long-term data security and integrity.
- Integration challenges with existing systems.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, fl, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $25.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. DATA FABRIC MODERNIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY TRACKER IS TO INTEGRATE, DEVELOP, AND EXPOSE DATA ACROSS THE AIR FORCE TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS CENTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-13. End: 2025-11-06.
What is the projected return on investment for this data fabric modernization?
The projected return on investment is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, the investment aims to enhance data integration and exposure across the Air Force Technical Applications Center, which is expected to improve operational efficiency, decision-making, and potentially lead to cost savings through better data utilization and analytics in the long run.
What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this project?
The primary risks with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract include potential cost overruns if the contractor's costs exceed estimates, as the government bears the majority of the cost risk. There's also a risk that the fixed fee might not adequately incentivize the contractor to control costs or innovate, potentially leading to less value for the taxpayer if oversight is not stringent.
How will the effectiveness of the data fabric modernization be measured?
The effectiveness will likely be measured by key performance indicators related to data integration success rates, data accessibility improvements, reduction in data silos, and the successful exposure of data across the Air Force Technical Applications Center. Performance metrics tied to the contract's objectives and user adoption rates will be crucial for assessing its overall impact.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA702221S0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 2400 PALM BAY RD NE, PALM BAY, FL, 32905
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,688,703
Exercised Options: $25,688,703
Current Obligation: $25,687,598
Actual Outlays: $5,550,318
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-13
Current End Date: 2025-11-06
Potential End Date: 2025-11-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-20
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